BBC pundit outlines Giovanni van Bronckhorst criticism after Rangers win over Aberdeen
Kemar Roofe’s Rangers winner against Aberdeen was proof of what Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been getting wrong recently says James McFadden.
The manager has been reluctant to make changes in tight games where his side have struggled to break down teams in the SPFL, ordering a single substitution in the previous two matches.
But it was replacement forward Kemar Roofe, introduced for talisman Alfredo Morelos, who made the telling difference late on in the 1-0 win over the Dandies on Saturday (5 March).
Speaking on BBC Sportscene after the game, former Scotland forward McFadden said: “I think that’s been a criticism of Giovanni van Bronckhorst over the last few weeks.
“He’s not made a lot of changes to his side, and I don’t mean starting XI. If you want to keep the same XI, fine, but making subs at moments to change games.
“That is the prime example of what Kemar Roofe brings, he barely touched the ball, but he had the telling touch in the game which lead to them getting the result.”
Lesson learnt?
The manager’s use of his squad has been confusing of late, with a clear lack of trust outside of his starters.
It has to be a positive for Gers fans to see him introduce figures who have been starved of opportunities, because the run in is going to require everyone.
It seemed like a given that the league encounters following the European games against Dortmund needed some fresh legs, but both times changes were kept to a minimum and points were dropped.
Even in matches where he has brought players off the bench, their influence seems to be immaterial to their future prospects.
Fashion Sakala and Borna Barisic seem to be the two who get the nod most often when the Dutchman moves things around, but neither ever stay in the team for long.
It was no surprise to see the pair were the first withdrawn at Ibrox, but it was unexpected that Morelos was sacrificed.
The Colombian has been at the heart of most of what has been good recently, but it is a forward step to see the manager was willing to try another option when it wasn’t working for him.
It is no use freezing players like Roofe out as they will never build confidence.
The January signings have featured sparingly of late, and there are squad members who haven’t been seen since January, but the same core of players who are used every game are looking increasingly worn down and surely need more help.
In other Rangers news, the Sportscene pundits respond to claims from Dons manager Jim Goodwin over the Gers goal.